Category: The Latest

Before the Saints Had a Legacy, an HBCU Bulldog Made History on the Very First Play

Brandon King

September 17, 1967. The New Orleans Saints were playing the first regular-season game in franchise history. Before the Super Bowl appearances. Before the Pro Bowlers. Before the records, legends and decades of Saints football… There was John Gilliam. A rookie out of South Carolina State College. The opening kickoff was sent his way. Gilliam caught it. Then he took off. 94 YARDS. TOUCHDOWN. On the very first play of the New Orleans Saints’ first regular-season game, John Gilliam became the player who scored the first touchdown in franchise history. Think…

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FIRST LOOK: “Charcoal” Air Jordan VII Returns in 2027

Brandon King

The “Charcoal” Air Jordan VII is currently expected to return on February 20, 2027, with a retail price of $215. The release is set to arrive during NBA All-Star Weekend and will bring back one of the most recognizable colorways from the early Jordan Brand era. Originally released in 1992, the black-based Air Jordan VII features Dark Charcoal, True Red and purple accents that helped make the colorway instantly recognizable. And while the sneaker is often referred to today as the “Playoffs” or “Raptors,” Sneaker Shop Talk sticks with the…

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Charles Barkley Just SHUT DOWN the “LeBron Is Beating Father Time” Narrative: “Don’t Tell Me How Great He’s Playing”

Brandon King

Charles Barkley is throwing a major wrench into the conversation surrounding LeBron James’ incredible longevity. At 41 years old, LeBron is still putting up numbers that would be impressive for players half his age. But Barkley isn’t convinced that those numbers prove LeBron is actually “beating Father Time.” During an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Barkley pushed back hard on the way LeBron’s current career is being discussed. “We have to be honest about LeBron,” Barkley said. “Just because you’re putting up good numbers don’t mean you’re being effective.”…

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“Varsity Royal”Nike Air Bakin SP Returns in November 2026

Brandon King

Nike is bringing back another fan-favorite Air Bakin colorway this holiday season. The 2026 Nike Air Bakin SP “Varsity Royal” is currently scheduled to release on November 12, 2026, with a retail price of $170. The upcoming retro is expected to arrive through Nike and select Nike Sportswear retailers. Originally introduced in 1997, the Air Bakin became one of Nike Basketball’s most recognizable designs from the late ’90s. The “Varsity Royal” colorway is particularly notable as an original colorway that has seen only one previous retro release, in 2008. The…

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Nike Air Foamposite Pro “College Football” Collection Is Coming in 2026

Brandon King

Nike is bringing the Air Foamposite Pro into college football territory. A four-school “College Football” collection is expected to release during Fall 2026, with LSU, Florida State, Ohio State and TCU reportedly receiving their own team-inspired Foamposite Pro colorways. The upcoming collection is expected to feature four distinct two-tone color schemes: While speculative mock-ups have circulated, official product images have not been released, meaning the final designs could differ from the early concepts. (House of Heat°⁠) The collection is particularly interesting because the Foamposite Pro has deep roots in basketball…

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UNC Football Investigation Takes Shocking Turn as Steve Belichick Faces Drug-Related Allegations

Brandon King

What initially looked like a major shake-up involving UNC’s football leadership has now turned into a much broader internal investigation — and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is reportedly among those facing serious questions. According to a report from WRAL, investigators are examining allegations that include whether Belichick used drugs while on the job or provided drugs to at least one UNC player. Those claims have not been established as fact, and the university’s investigation remains ongoing. But the allegations add another stunning layer to a situation that has already placed…

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Carmelo Anthony’s Jordan Melo 5.5 Is Officially Returning in 2027

Brandon King

In July we reported of the pending return of the Melo 5.5 and now there is confirmation of their second retail run. The Jordan Melo 5.5 “Black/University Blue” is officially set to return on April 30, 2027, bringing back one of the most recognizable basketball sneakers from Melo’s early NBA years. The returning pair carries the official Black/Taxi/University Blue/Metallic Silver colorway and JA9035-001 style code. The release was initially reported by KicksFinder, with the latest release information confirming the highly anticipated retro. The Melo 5.5 originally debuted in 2005 during…

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“The Switch”Nike Sabrina 4 Releases September 5

Brandon King

Nike is officially getting ready to release another standout colorway of Sabrina Ionescu’s signature basketball sneaker. The “The Switch” Nike Sabrina 4 is scheduled to release September 5, 2026, arriving in a vibrant pink and yellow color scheme that gives the latest Sabrina model an eye-catching look. The upcoming release continues the momentum behind Ionescu’s signature line, combining performance-focused basketball technology with a bold aesthetic designed to stand out both on and off the court. The “The Switch” colorway features pink as a dominant element, complemented by bright yellow accents…

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Ben Simmons Is BACK! Former All-NBA Star Agrees to $3.5 Million Deal With Sacramento Kings

Brandon King

The former No. 1 overall pick and three-time NBA All-Star is officially returning to the league after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, according to Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears. The deal gives Simmons a chance to restart a career that once appeared headed toward superstardom. The 30-year-old guard/forward is entering his 10th NBA season after a year away from the league. Before injuries and other setbacks derailed his trajectory, Simmons established himself as one of…

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ESPN’s Kawhi Leonard Report Is Under Major Scrutiny After NBA Drops Hammer on Clippers

Brandon King

Just weeks ago, ESPN reported that the NBA had found “no evidence” that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the league’s salary cap. Now, the NBA’s completed investigation has produced a dramatically different picture. The league announced Wednesday that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by funneling millions of dollars to Leonard through third-party companies, including Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The consequences were enormous: The NBA’s investigative report says Ballmer, Zucker and Frank played roles in connecting Leonard with…

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